Making the perfect cinnamon rolls recipe at home is easier than you think. These soft, fluffy rolls with gooey cinnamon filling will fill your kitchen with amazing aromas and satisfy your sweet cravings. Best of all, this recipe requires only one rise time, making it perfect for beginners who want bakery-quality results without the complicated process.
What Makes This Recipe Special
This homemade cinnamon rolls recipe delivers all the flavor and texture of traditional overnight rolls in half the time. Here’s why this recipe stands out:
- Only requires one rise time instead of multiple rises
- Uses rich ingredients like whole milk, butter, and eggs for tender results
- Takes just 60 to 90 minutes to double in size before baking
- Perfect for yeast beginners who want professional results
- Creates incredibly soft, fluffy texture every time
- Requires no special equipment or advanced techniques
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cinnamon Rolls
Creating amazing cinnamon rolls starts with quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need for the dough:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 large egg at room temperature
For the cinnamon sugar filling, you’ll need:
- 3 tablespoons softened butter
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
The cream cheese icing requires:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making cinnamon rolls from scratch becomes simple when you follow these clear steps:
1. Prepare the Dough
Follow these steps to create the perfect dough base:
- Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl
- Warm milk and butter in microwave until butter melts (around 110°F)
- Whisk yeast into the warm milk mixture until dissolved
- Pour liquid over dry ingredients and add the egg
- Mix until a soft dough forms
2. Knead and Rest
Proper kneading creates the right texture:
- Transfer dough to lightly floured surface
- Knead for 3 to 5 minutes until smooth
- Dough should feel soft and slightly tacky
- Place in greased bowl and rest for 10 minutes
3. Roll and Fill
Creating the signature swirl requires careful technique:
- Roll dough into 14×8-inch rectangle
- Spread softened butter evenly across surface
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together
- Sprinkle cinnamon mixture over buttered dough
- Roll up tightly to form 14-inch log
4. Cut and Arrange
Proper cutting ensures even baking:
- Use your sharpest knife to prevent squishing
- Cut log into 10 to 12 even rolls
- Arrange in greased 9-inch or 10-inch round pan
- Cover with foil or clean kitchen towel
5. Rise and Bake
The final steps bring everything together:
- Let rolls rise in warm place for 60 to 90 minutes
- Rolls should double in size before baking
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- Bake for 24 to 27 minutes until golden brown
Pro Tips for Success
Getting perfect results with your easy cinnamon rolls requires attention to key details:
Temperature Control
- Never use liquid that’s too hot as it kills the yeast
- Milk and butter mixture should feel comfortably warm to touch
- Use an instant-read thermometer for accuracy (110°F is ideal)
- Let eggs come to room temperature before mixing
Dough Consistency
- Keep dough soft and slightly tacky for best results
- Avoid adding excess flour which creates dense, dry rolls
- Don’t over-knead as this makes rolls tough
- Dough should be smooth but not stiff
Pan and Rising Tips
- Use 9-inch or 10-inch pan for 10 to 12 rolls
- Overcrowding prevents even baking and rising
- Create warm rising environment for faster results
- Preheat oven to 150°F, turn off, place covered pan inside
- Leave door cracked 30 minutes, then close for remaining rise time
Make-Ahead and Storage Options
These breakfast rolls work perfectly for meal prep and special occasions:
Make-Ahead Options
- Prepare dough through shaping step, then refrigerate overnight
- Allow refrigerated rolls to rise for about 1 hour before baking
- Partially bake for 10 minutes, freeze, then finish baking when ready
- Dough stays fresh in refrigerator for up to 24 hours
Freezing Instructions
- Baked rolls freeze beautifully for up to 3 months
- Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for freezing
- Warm thawed rolls in 300°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes
Storage Tips
- Store unfrosted rolls at room temperature for up to 2 days
- Refrigerate frosted rolls for up to 5 days
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap or store in airtight container
- Reheat individual rolls in microwave for 15 to 20 seconds
Icing Variations
While cream cheese icing is the classic choice, you have several delicious options:
Classic Cream Cheese Icing
- Beat 4 oz softened cream cheese until smooth
- Add 2 tbsp softened butter and beat until combined
- Mix in 2/3 cup powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla
- Spread on warm rolls for best results
Simple Vanilla Icing
- Whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 1/2 tsp vanilla
- Add 2 to 3 tbsp milk until smooth consistency
- Creates lighter topping than cream cheese version
- Perfect for those who prefer less rich icing
Coffee Icing
- Replace milk with strong brewed coffee in vanilla icing recipe
- Adds rich coffee flavor that pairs perfectly with cinnamon
- Use 2 to 3 tbsp coffee for proper consistency
- Great for adult breakfast gatherings
Application Tips
- Always apply icing while rolls are still warm
- Warm icing melts slightly and seeps into swirls
- Use offset spatula for even spreading
- Drizzle thinner icings for lighter coverage
This foolproof cinnamon rolls recipe delivers bakery-quality results without the complexity of traditional methods. The single rise time makes it accessible for beginners while still producing incredibly soft, flavorful rolls that rival any bakery version.
Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
These easy cinnamon rolls from scratch are perfect for yeast beginners because they only require 1 rise. Each cinnamon roll is extra soft with the most delicious cinnamon swirl! The rolls freeze beautifully, so this is a great make-ahead recipe, especially for planning ahead for holidays or special breakfast occasions.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Make the dough: Whisk the flour, sugar, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Combine the milk and butter together in a heatproof bowl. Microwave or use the stove and heat until the butter has melted and the mixture is warm to the touch (about 110°F/43°C, no higher). Whisk in the yeast until it has dissolved. Pour mixture into the dry ingredients, add the egg, and stir with a sturdy rubber spatula or wooden spoon until a soft dough forms.
- Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface. Using floured hands, knead the dough for 3-5 minutes. You should have a smooth ball of dough. If the dough is super soft or sticky, you can add a little more flour. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover loosely, and let the dough rest for about 10 minutes as you get the filling ingredients ready.
- Fill the rolls: After 10 minutes, roll the dough out in a 14×8-inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter on top. Mix together the cinnamon and brown sugar. Sprinkle it all over the dough. Roll up the dough to make a 14-inch log. Cut into 10–12 even rolls and arrange in a lightly greased 9- or 10-inch round cake pan, pie dish, or square baking pan.
- Rise: Cover the pan with aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or a clean kitchen towel. Allow the rolls to rise in a relatively warm environment for 60–90 minutes or until double in size.
- Bake the rolls: After the rolls have doubled in size, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 24–27 minutes, or until lightly browned. If you notice the tops are getting too brown too quickly, loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil and continue baking. Remove pan from the oven and place on a wire rack as you make the icing.
- Make the icing: In a medium bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese on high speed until smooth and creamy. Add the butter and beat until smooth and combined, then beat in the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until combined. Using a knife or icing spatula, spread the icing over the warm rolls and serve immediately.
Notes
Make Ahead Instructions: This dough can be made the night before through step 4. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, remove from the refrigerator and allow to rise in a warm environment, about 1 hour.
Freezing Instructions: Baked rolls can be frozen up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm up before enjoying. You can also freeze the unbaked rolls by baking them for only about 10 minutes at 375°F. Cool completely, then cover tightly and freeze. To serve, thaw in refrigerator and finish baking for the remaining 15–18 minutes.
Yeast Tip: If you only have active dry yeast, you can use that instead. Active dry and instant yeast can be used interchangeably in recipes (1:1).
Storage: Cover leftover frosted or unfrosted rolls tightly and store at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.